Former Colchester captain discusses life at Brisbane Road and how Orient are progressing nicely
Sean Clohessy was handed the captains armband by Leyton Orient head coach Ian Hendon on Saturday against Colchester United and the defender has praised the Brisbane Road gaffer.
The 28-year-old hailed the passion of the O’s boss and discussed the partnership he has with assistant manager Andy Hessenthaler.
He also spoke about how Hendon is on the training ground and his excitement for the upcoming campaign.
Paul McCallum’s brace and a late strike by Scott Kashket earned Orient a 3-0 triumph against Colchester on Saturday.
Clohessy returned to his former club and assisted the opening goal for McCallum, and he is relishing life under Hendon.
“The gaffa has brought in his own players, he has worked his way around and wants to do his own thing,” Clohessy said.
“He is stamping his own authority on the club and it is working - the boys are enjoying it, we are working hard and there are no complaints from anyone.
“I think the gaffer has a good partnership with ‘Hessy’ and they both have good characters. The gaffer is very hands on, which is good. I can only say that for the four weeks I have worked with him, I have enjoyed every moment.”
Clohessy was confirmed as an Orient player on June 9 alongside Sammy Moore and admitted Hendon’s passion stood out.
The former Southend defender could now find himself as captain of the team with current skipper Nathan Clarke leaving to move closer to his family, although new signing Alan Dunne is also a potential candidate.
“When I spoke to him on the phone before signing here he was very passionate and that really comes across,” added Clohessy.
“When you speak to him you just want to get to the training ground and work.
“As soon as I spoke to him straight away on the phone he didn’t really need to sell me anything about the club, what sold it for me was how passionate he is about getting promoted and the way he wants to play. It speaks volumes about him.”
Clohessy was familiar with a number of the Orient squad after coming up against them during the 2014/15 campaign while at Colchester.
He is looking forward to building partnerships and seeing them progress as the season gets underway in August.
“I have obviously played against quite a few of the lads, I was with Jay Simpson at Arsenal but that was years and years ago,” said Clohessy.
“I have played against a lot of the boys and ‘Coxy’ quite a few times so you half know people when you come through the door, but since I have been here I have got to know everyone more on a personal level.
“It is all about building partnerships and as the season goes on you start to build them up even more. You start to read what they will do with the ball, their movement and that will come.
“We might not hit it off in the first game of the season, but as we start getting into it you will see how patterns of play are really starting to affect over teams.”
Clohessy may not be captain yet, but he appears to have settled into life at Brisbane Road very quickly and will be a key player for the upcoming season in both an attacking and defensive sense.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here